Long Island, NY Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to our Long Island meeting planning guide – a city guide for meeting planning on Long Island. As part of the largest and most famous suburb in the country, Long Island draws strength from having New York City as its next-door neighbor. What is less well known is that Long Island and can offer up a destination that's perfect for meetings without needing any help from the Big Apple. From the North Shore down to Fire Island; from Belmont Park in the west; to Orient Point, the Hamptons and Montauk out east, the sophisticated hotels, Long Island event venues and restaurants, blend seamlessly with its unparalleled historical attractions, diversity of maritime activities and cultural experiences.

The ease of getting into Manhattan from Long Island allows meeting groups to sample aspects of the city. That's a bonus.

What with 11,000 guest rooms in about 110 meetings-friendly hotels on Long Island, there is almost no meeting group that couldn't make the island its destination. Three airports—John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Islip MacArthur are physically located on the island, as well as the country's largest commuter rail system and a highway system created by master planner Robert Moses.

Long Island comprises Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which are home to numerous colleges, including Adelphi University, C.W. Post University, Farmingdale State College, Dowling College, Hofstra University, Suffolk Community College and Stony Brook University. Each of these offers not only interesting meeting space, but also many special-event opportunities of a cultural nature.

Being next to the great melting pot of New York City has its advantages. For instance, Nassau and Suffolk Counties are home to thousands of restaurants—literally every kind of cuisine, from Mexican to Moroccan to Hungarian to Indian, can be found, and many of these specialty restaurants are family-owned. Also, family-owned pizzerias are ubiquitous across the island; the world-renowned quality of their pizza is a source of immense pride. Bagel stores and delis are also common, many of them Jewish-owned and approved as kosher. Lastly, old-fashioned diners abound on Long Island; many are Greek- and German-owned, and many are open all night.

About Long Island, NY / Additional Info

Europeans first came to Long Island in the early 1600s, joining the Native-American tribes that had lived there for a few thousand years, enjoying good sustenance from farming and fishing. The island was an important region during the American Revolutionary War, and has several historical spots designated historic buildings and places.

But it was the economic growth and suburbanization of the New York metropolitan region after World War II that made Long Island most of what it is today. Between 1930 and 1990, Long Island was one of the aviation centers of the U.S., with companies such as Grumman Aerospace, Republic, Fairchild and Curtiss having headquarters and factories there. Long Island has played a prominent role in scientific research and in engineering as well; it is the home of the Brookhaven National Laboratory for nuclear physics and U.S. Department of Energy research. There's also the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which was directed for 35 years by James Watson (who, along with Francis Crick, discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.)

In recent decades, companies such as Sperry Rand, Computer Associates (CA) and Motorola Enterprise Mobility have made the island a hot spot for the computer industry, while Stony Brook University conducts far-ranging medical and technology research. Long Island is home to the East Coast's largest industrial park, the Hauppauge Industrial Park. The park has over 1,300 companies employing more than 55,000 Long Islanders.

Interestingly, the most recent industries to mature on the island, particularly on the eastern half, are agricultural in nature—in fact, the local phrase "grass, grapes and golf" sums up the new direction. Sod farms have replaced many old potato farms, as supplying the local grounds and greens is big business. There are more than 50 wineries and vineyards on eastern Long Island and most will host group events. Golf courses, from the venerable Shinnecock Golf Course to the brand-new courses that have been popping on former farm tracts over the past 20 years, are plentiful.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008 Nassau and Suffolk counties had the 10th and 25th highest median household incomes in the nation, respectively. Nassau County is more developed than Suffolk County, and has pockets of significant affluence within the famed Gold Coast of the North Shore. Wealthy Americans and Europeans in the gilded age of the early 1900s built lavish country mansions there. Today, many still exist in their original state, while others have become parks, arboretums, universities and museums—one is even a sophisticated conference facility.

South shore communities in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties are built alongside protected wetlands, overlooking a bay separating them by 3 to 4 miles from the white-sand beaches of the outer barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean. And in the far eastern area of Long Island, small-town rural life is much more common, as on the North Fork and in the Hamptons. But all across the island, towns such as Babylon, Cold Spring Harbor, Greenport, Freeport, Huntington, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Sag Harbor, Sayville and Westhampton have quaint, historic Main Street districts perfect for walking tours, shopping and dine-arounds.

Long Island, NY Meeting Venue Spotlight

Allegria Hotel

Just 25 miles from Manhattan and 15 minutes from JFK airport, this oceanfront Long Island conference facility offers a truly rewarding destination experience for busy professionals. Treat clients and colleagues to an incredibly relaxing and luxurious beachfront setting. And with state-of-the-art meeting rooms along with Atlantica Restaurant, L'Onda Lounge and Jacks on the Rocks for socializing and unwinding, the Allegria is the perfect solution for Long Island conferences and corporate parties. Take groups kayaking, surfing, or fishing, or have the concierge arrange for a golf outing. Its renowned chef can also customize a sumptuous menu for large or small groups.

Property Details

143 guest rooms

4 dedicated meeting rooms;11 other suites for small meetings

Ballroom is 3,300 sf; divisible by 3

Outdoor pool

Fitness center

On-site restaurant; lobby lounge; rooftop lounge

24-hour in-room dining

Wireless and wired internet

Valet and paid public parking

15 miles to JFK airport; 22 miles to LGA airport; 35 miles to Islip MacArthur airport

Surrounded by spectacular views of Long Island Sound and nestled in the heart of historic Port Jefferson Village, Danfords Hotel & Marina offers the finest in contemporary comfort and elegance. Each of the completely renovated guest rooms and suites, with spa-inspired showers, is a personal retreat.

Smack in the middle of Long Island's wine country, this elegant 58-room property relies on its experienced staff and its commitment to environmental friendliness to host corporate meetings that make an impact. With 30,000 square feet of indoor meeting space plus other outdoor areas available on its secluded, finely landscaped grounds, East Wind also offers an on-site spa with 12 treatment rooms; a fitness center and indoor pool; and an on-site restaurant plus a late-night pub. And when it comes to off-site activities, the property provides free transportation to various local wineries as well as to local golf courses that offer special packages for East Wind guests. The Hamptons are a short drive from East Wind, as is the huge Tanger Shopping Outlet in Riverhead.

Property Details:

58 guest rooms

30,000 sf of indoor meeting space

Ballroom is 21,000 sf, divisible by 4

5 other mtg rooms totaling 9,000 sf

2 special-event rooms with patio and garden areas

Wired and wireless internet

Fitness center with yoga classes; indoor heated pool

On-site spa with 12 treatment rooms

Restaurant open until 10 pm weekdays; pub and room service stay open later

24-hour snack shop, plus Starbucks coffee bar

36 miles to Islip MacArthur airport; 73 miles to JFK airport; 75 miles to LGA airport

This Georgian mansion is situated on 55 secluded and landscaped acres on Long Island's historic Gold Coast, 30 minutes from New York City, JFK International and LaGuardia Airports. The elegant property, once owned by the Pratt family, features 187 richly appointed guest rooms, including four suites, the Garden Room Restaurant with magnificent views of the terraces, the large and comfortable Pub 1910, private dining rooms ideal for social and corporate occasions. There's also a vast outdoor reception area overlooking the mansion's Gilded Age gardens. The property offers 29,000 square feet of event and meeting space, with 27 dedicated conference rooms accommodating from 10 to 600 guests, advanced meeting technology, an executive business center and conference concierge services.

Property Details:

187 guest rooms; 4 suites

On-site restaurant, plus bar/lounge

Fitness center; tennis courts

(not operational)

Indoor and outdoor pools

27 meeting rooms; largest room seats 220

29,000 sf of meeting space

Large outdoor terraces

Wired and wireless internet

25 miles to JFK airport; 22 miles to LGA airport; 40 miles to Islip MacArthur airport

Nestled among the dunes of Montauk, New York, at the very tip of Long Island, Gurney's Inn Resort, Spa and Conference Center has for years been a place for stressed New Yorkers to escape the pressures of the city. Its spectacular ocean views and remote, wild, windswept setting, combined with one of the nation's few true seawater pools and other amenities render it a true year-round destination for romantic getaways, business meetings, retreats, etc. -- a place where the cares of the world seem mercifully distant.

Property Details:

109 rooms and suites; five cottages

6 meeting rooms; largest seats 400

On-site restaurant and lounge; oceanfront patio

Fitness center

Full spa

Indoor pool; Roman baths with seawater; private beach

58 miles to Islip MacArthur airport; 100 miles to JFK airport; 103 miles to LGA airport

This hotel is a full-service property situated in the Huntington/Melville business district in the center of Long Island. It is just one mile south of the Long Island Expressway and easily accessible to the Hamptons, Jones Beach and New York City.

Property Details:

304 guest rooms; 24 suites

30,000 sf of meeting space

Grand ballroom is 10,087 sf; junior ballroom is 6,350 sf

13 breakout rooms

Heated Indoor Swimming Pool

Outdoor Pool Open in summer

Lighted Tennis Court

Fitness Center

On-site restaurant and lounge

Wired and wireless internet

In-room coffee maker, iron and ironing board, hair dryer

In-room dining until 11 pm

Complimentary Self-Parking

On-Site Avis Rental Car

20 miles to Islip MacArthur airport; 30 miles to JFK airport; 33 miles to LGA airport

From its quiet setting north of the Long Island Expressway, groups can tour East End wineries, kick back on the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach or Fire Island, gaze at incredible homes in the Hamptons, or spend the day in New York City, 45 miles away. Play 18 holes at the on-site championship golf course, enjoy tennis on lighted courts, or choose to sit by the indoor or outdoor pools. No need to travel any farther than the lobby for acclaimed cuisine; Nu Restaurant is touted as one of Long Island's top 10 hotel restaurants. For meetings, the property offers more than 17,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space plus catering services.

This hotel near the towns of Hempstead and Mineola features full service amenities & Executive Conference Center Packages. Featuring 17 meeting rooms with a total of 27,000 sq ft of newly renovated event space. On-site business center, A/V services and dining options make them a leader among Long Island hotels.

Property Details:

615 rooms, 8 suites

Concierge level

Adjacent to 16,250-seat Nassau Coliseum

17 meeting rooms, 28,000 sq ft of total meeting space

Largest meeting room: Grand Ballroom, 9,720 sq ft; seats 1,200

On-site restaurant and Champions pub

Wired and wireless internet

16 miles to JFK airport; 19 miles to LGA airport; 30 miles to Islip MacArthur airport

Located in Southampton Village on the East End of Long Island, the property is nestled on five acres of manicured grounds. The Tudor-style Inn is a local landmark; charming and unpretentious, the Inn is located perfectly for strolling through a town marked by unique stores and boutiques, museums, art galleries, quaint and upscale dining and endless entertainment. During the summer, the Inn provides a complimentary hourly shuttle to beautiful Coopers Beach. Staff will coordinate restaurant reservations, fishing trips, surfing lessons, kayaking, golf tee times, bicycle rentals, museum tours and visits to historic sites and wineries.

Property Details:

90 guest rooms

9 meeting rooms

2300 sf ballroom seats 250 guests

On-site restaurant during summer; group catering available

Free shuttle to ocean beach

Tennis court

Spas services within easy walk from hotel

Wired and wireless internet

47 miles to Islip MacArthur airport; 89 miles to JFK airport; 92 miles to LGA airport

Since 1874, The Garden City Hotel has offered spacious guest rooms and luxurious suites to discriminating travelers. This inviting hotel has been a favorite of the rich and famous, including the Vanderbilts, Astors, Kennedys and Clintons. From post-Civil War beginnings to the Roaring Twenties, the dawn of suburbia to the new millennium, it has provided the highest-quality services and accommodations. In the early 1980s, current owner Myron Nelkin built the existing Garden City Hotel. Since then, this world-class suburban hotel has been guided by the Nelkin family, who continue to uphold the tradition of elegance and service established 125 years ago.

Long Island, NY Airport Information

Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)

Approximate taxi fare: $12.87 USD

Located in Islip, MacArthur Airport (ISP) is the only one of the three airports serving Long Island that is located in the Long Island county of Suffolk. It is the area's hub for Southwest Airlines, although it as also served by US Airways. ISP is 60 miles from Manhattan and is a regional airport. It mostly serves Suffolk and Nassau counties, although a shuttle service from the Long Island Railroad's (LIRR) Ronkonkoma station allows more access from Manhattan.

Car rental is available through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.

Long Island, NY Train Information

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)

Long Island is easily accessible by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), which is the oldest, continuously operating railroad in the U.S. Now operated under the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA, which also oversees Metro-North Railway and the New York City Subway System), LIRR runs regular schedules for 124 destinations, and is an inexpensive and reliable alternative to taxis and vans. The AirTrain from JFK airport connects to the LIRR at the Jamaica station offering easy access to most of Long Island.

Long Island, NY Ground Transportation

Taxis

Taxis are available throughout Long Island and are easily hailed at JFK,LGA and ISP airports. Venues will have the numbers of reliable services operating in their areas.

Area shared and private airport shuttle services include SuperShuttle, Winston Transportation, and Trans-Executive Worldwide Chauffeured Service

Ferries

Ferries are an easy and atmospheric method of travel. Ferry services operating on Long Island include: